The liberation of Nice took place on August 28, 1944, following an armed insurrection decided by the Resistance. The insurgents numbered only a hundred at the beginning of August 28, but the scale the uprising achieved by the end of the day forced the German occupiers to evacuate the city.
The toll was 31 resistance fighters killed and 280 wounded on the side of the Nice insurgents. The German losses are typically estimated at 25 men.
In a speech delivered on April 9, 1945, at Place Masséna, General de Gaulle referred to the liberation of the city in these terms: “Nice, on August 28, 1944, through the heroic sacrifice of its children, freed itself from the occupier. (…) Nice liberated, Nice proud, Nice glorious!”
On the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of its Liberation by the Allied forces and alongside the traditional Circuit of Memory, the City of Nice is planning a commemorative program with numerous highlights.
Military vehicle parade starting at 10 a.m. (Promenade des Anglais – Boulevard Gambetta – Avenue Thiers – Avenue Jean Médecin – Place Masséna – Monument to the Dead of Rauba Capeu)
Passionate collectors from the MVCG Southeast Côte d’Azur association will offer an exceptional parade from 11 a.m., featuring 80 vehicles, including a 30-ton tank and other Jeeps, Dodges, GMCs, “Jimmys,” armored cars, and vehicles that will delight both young and old.
Official ceremony at 6 p.m. – Monument to the Dead of Rauba Capeu
Seniors’ “1940s” dance at 6:30 p.m. – Place Pierre Gautier
Hosted by Thierry Noll and his orchestra, this “olden days” dance will take place at Place Pierre Gautier adorned with French, American, and English flags. The orchestra members will arrive in jeeps, dressed as GIs. Seniors born in 1944 will welcome the participants, some in period costumes, and will kick off the dance, which will be in two parts: for an hour, the orchestra will focus on the atmosphere of popular dances of yesteryear with Liberation music, then, until 9 p.m., it will return to more modern melodies.
